Gulo
gulo
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Mustelidae
Other
Names: Devil bear, carcajou, skunk bear,
devil beast.
Status:
Wolverine fur is highly valued and widely used in
the Arctic and sub-Arctic as ruffs or trim on parkas
and other garments. The most viable and
widespread population of wolverines in the
contiguous 48 states occurs in the Rocky Mountains
of Montana. Official Montana furbearer managed
and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.
Identifying
Characteristics: Except for its bushy tail,
the wolverine looks like a small bear. Compact
and strongly built. Medium brown to almost
black in color. Color is paler on the head;
two broad, yellowish stripes that start at shoulders
and join on rump. Often displays white or
light tan patch markings on the throat and chest.
Feet are large in relation to size of body.
Largest terrestrial member of the weasel family.
Total length: 31 to 51 inches. Weight: 35 to
60 pounds.
Habitat:
The primary wolverine habitat in Montana is the
coniferous forest types of the Rocky Mountains.
Roams large areas in solitude. Mainly animals
of the heavy forest.
Food
Habits: A very opportunistic feeder.
Generally a carnivore, will also feed on meat
carrion and berries. Famous for robbing traps
and food caches of trappers. When necessary,
can kill animals many times its own size.
Life History:
Active day or nights. Except for the breeding
season exhibits solitary habits. General
behavior is similar to other mustelid predators.
Dens in any sheltered place. Breeds during
summer; litters from 1 to 5 young are born between
February and April. Exhibits delayed
implantation of the fertilized egg.
Similar
Species: Fisher - no yellowish body stripes.
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TRAPPING DISTRICTS 1 through 5 SEASON DATES:
December 1 - February 15 of the following
year. License must be purchased prior to
December 1.
Limit:
Persons may take and possess one (1)
wolverine each per season.
Pelt Tagging:
Trappers and hunters are required to
personally present the pelts of
wolverine for tagging to a designated
Fish, Wildlife & Parks employee residing
in the trapping district where the
animal was taken within five (5) days of
harvest. Trappers or hunters unable to
comply with the five day pelt tagging
requirements due to special
circumstances or the unavailability of
local FWP personnel must still register
their pelts within five days of harvest
by calling the proper regional office to
make arrangements for tagging by FWP
personnel at a later time. Pelts not
presented or registered to department
personnel within 5 days are subject to
confiscation.
Carcasses:
It is mandatory that the entire and
intact carcass of all wolverine be
turned into Fish, Wildlife & Parks in
good condition, at the time the pelt is
presented for tagging. The skull will be
retained by Fish, Wildlife & Parks for
processing and examination and then
returned to the owner if desired. Good
condition is defined as fresh or frozen
and securely wrapped in such a manner as
to have prevented decomposition in order
that all tissue samples are suitable for
lab analysis. Any wolverine pelt that is
presented for tagging without the
carcass in good condition shall be
subject to confiscation.
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